The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-08
FACTS ABOUT THE MoRMoNs.
Seport ofthe Utah Commission, Which
TWO Members Refused to Sign.
Irnl,, The N,lr York Sun

E6nOTt OF ING " IllGa
TWO Members Refused to Sign.
From the Nc'c York sun.
WASHINGTON, Oct. Sc. l.. Godfrey, A.
q Williams and Arthur L. Thomas, consti-
tuting majority of the Utah Commission,
have filed the annual report of the commits
sion. A memorandum at the close of the
document says that Commissioners Carlton
and McClernand dissented from many of the
Siews expressed therein, and did not sign
the report.
The population of the Territory is esti-
mated at 100000, a gain of nearly 10000
since 1880. The valuation of the property
assessed is So, $50, S02 The prosperity of
the past seven years has been equal to that
of any former period in the history of the
Territory On April I the total Mormon
population in the Territories of Utah, Idaho.
Arizona, Wyoming and New Mexico, and
fhe States of Nevada and Colorado, was
N62, 1888, officially classed as follows: Three
First Presidents, | apostles, IS patriarchs,
& 444 seventies, 1928 high priests, 13,41f
elders, 2,423 priests, 2,497 teachers, 1854
deacons. 81 ,2S3 members and 1850 chill
dren under eight years of age. The total
church population of Utah was 132, 297.
Since the death of John Taylor, which
event dissolved the first presidency for the
third time in the history of the church, the
government or the church rests upon the
quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of which
MILFORD Woodruff is President. The Nor
mon church teaches the members not to
enter the Territorial courts to settle their
difficulties, but has provided a system of
courts within the church. The payment of
tithing and other donations for the support
of the church is vigorously urged as re-
Iigious duty The tithing for 1850 was
$4,000.
The strength of the non-Mormon element
is estimated at 80, 200, and they now own
about one-third of the assessed property of
the Territory. The different religious de
nominations have i'll Utah 62 churches. The
Methodist denomination has 26, the Preshy-
terians Is, Catholics g. and so decreasing
through five other societies. These several
churches have established and control 81
schools, with an aggregate Of 6,66S pupils
and go teachers
1882 541 persons have been indicted for I'M
lawful cohabtation, and 2S9 of these were
convicted. The number convicted of
polygamy was IA. Many of the persons
indicted have fled to escape arrest. The
national laws relating to bigamy and
polygamy have been in effective operation
for about three years. The Mormon leaders
and their obedient followers have made no
concession to its supremacy, and the issue
is squarely maintained between assumed
revelations and the laws of the land
The first annual election under the act of
Congress prescribing a registration oath for
voters was held on Aug. of this year, and
resulted as follows: The Mormons elected 10
Councillors and 81 members; the Liberals or
nom Mormons elected 2 Councillors and 3
members. The total vote cast was 10, SOL
On the subject of the movement for State
hood, the report says that in June last q
convention was held, which adopted CON
stitution with great unanimity. 1t declares
bigamy and polygamy to be misdemeanorS,
and fixes the punishment therefor 1t also
provides that no further legislation shall be
required to define these offenses, and pro-
claims the separation of church and
State. The instrument is silent as
to the offense of unlawful cohabitation.
The non-Mormons declined to recog-
nize or join in the proceedings of the con
vention. In the election which followed
upon the adoption of this constitution the
non-Mormons refused to vote, and the
homogeneous Mormons cast Is, 1876 votes in
its favor, only 500 votes being cast against
it. The commission regards this State
movement as an effort to free the Mormon
church from the tolls which the firm atti-
tude of the government and the energetic
course of the Federal officers have thrown
around it, and opposes it.
The commission renews its recommenda-
tons of last year, except such as were en-
acted into laws at the last session of Con
gress. The commission also recommends
that authority be conferred upon the Gov
ernor of the Territory to appoint selectmen,
county clerks, assessors, recorders, and su-
perintendents of district schools.